Architecture firm’s office closure a concern for Saugus

SAUGUS – Architecture firm Fletcher Thompson, which is overseeing the Belmonte Middle School repair project in Saugus, is closing its Boston office, according to School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed.The Belmonte Middle School Building Committee will discuss the ramifications of this at Monday’s meeting.”We have kind of demanded that someone from the Connecticut office appear at our meeting and tell us,” said Reed. “We want a plan. We want to know how this project is going to finish up if they’re closing out. We’ve had a little discussion with the (Massachusetts School Building Authority) and we may have a rep attend the meeting also. So we’ll find out what happened. We already lost one architect.”Reed was referring to architect Scott Payette, who was the initial architect for the project before being replaced by Michael Fazio last year.According to its website, Fletcher Thompson has offices in Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Florida and New Jersey.Despite the closing, Reed noted construction on the project has been going smoothly, and said the fourth and final phase of the project will start when school closes for the summer. She said the project is scheduled to be completed by the start of this coming school year.Fletcher Thompson Managing Partner Mike Marcinek said closing the Boston office won’t have any effect on the project, noting staff will be “covering and supporting the project” from their Hartford and Providence offices.”We have staff members in the area and the one on the job will be working out of his house ? He’ll be attending job meetings and field meetings, and doing his normal inspections,” said Marcinek. “Nothing will change.”Marcinek said the office closed because the company had “difficulty negotiating a lease” and “some difficulty trying to win work” in Greater Boston.”We just felt we needed to not continue to bleed ? and to be able focus on our core states of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey,” he said.Monday’s meeting starts at 4 p.m. in the School Committee room.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].